TowBoatUS Locations in Baltimore, Middle River, Have New Owner

Long-Time Lead Captain Takes the Helm

BALTIMORE, Md., June 2, 2011 – A change in ownership for two local TowBoatUS boat-towing locations on the Chesapeake Bay is giving a former employee a chance to helm his own business. Capt. Dale Plummer has purchased TowBoatUS locations in Baltimore and Middle River, Maryland, from Capt. Frank Dolan. Capt. Plummer had served as Dolan’s Lead Captain for the last five years. To see the two towing ports on a map, go to www.BoatUS.com/Baltimore.

In addition to owning the business, Capt. Plummer is President of Chesapeake Maritime Towing and Assistance Association, a local chapter of C-PORT, which is the national trade association for the marine assistance and salvage industry. The organization, made up largely of on-the-water towing businesses, establishes standards for professionalism and good business practices, adheres to a code of ethics and sets standards for marine assistance vessels and equipment. The USCG-licensed Plummer, who also has over 30 years diving experience, is a frequent speaker at local boat and yacht clubs, offering boaters information on how to stay safe on the water, prevent mishaps and avoid having to call for a tow.

“I grew up boating on the Chesapeake and one thing I know is things happen on the water that you may not be prepared for,” said Plummer. ”My biggest goal is to help boaters understand why they need to have an on-the-water towing plan with BoatUS. Out-of-pocket costs for a tow start at about $200 an hour, with an average tow costing about $600 per incident. Having BoatUS’ ‘Unlimited’ towing plan will save you from having to pay that bill. I’d really rather have folks pay a little now to sign up for our service rather than pay potentially much more later.”

Much like an auto club for boaters, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers the “Unlimited” on-the-water towing service plan for salt and freshwater boaters for just $149 annually which includes BoatUS or BoatUS Angler membership with all of the benefits.

Capt. Plummer has added a fourth response boat (a 27-foot Sea Ark) to his fleet of three vessels that recently have been refit and renovated for the summer boating season: a 24-foot Zodiac, a 25-foot Eastern and a 32-foot former US Navy jet-drive PBR (Patrol Boat Riverine). All are professionally rigged for marine towing and salvage work and ready to go at a moment’s notice, including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps, dive gear and battery "jump packs" to handle dead batteries. The fleet can be identified by their distinctive red hulls, white bow stripes and "TowBoatUS" lettering along their sides. TowBoatUS Baltimore/Middle River services the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from the Magothy River north to the Bush River.

Recreational boaters, sailors and anglers can call TowBoatUS Baltimore and TowBoatUS Middle River 24-hours a day at 410-255-8700, through the BoatUS toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869, or by hailing on VHF radio channel 16.

The ports are part of the country's largest boat towing program, BoatUS Towing Services, with over 600 towboats servicing hundreds of ports and waterways coast to coast. The towing program is just one service offered by BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its half-million members with government representation, consumer programs and money-saving services. For more information call 800-888-4869.